Friday, April 29, 2011

Interview: Maureen O'Brien Baker '03

Angela Krainz, UW Class of ’05, is Associate Director of Patron Engagement for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.  She recently interviewed Maureen O’Brien Baker, UW Class of ’03 who is Manager for Individual Giving at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), Phoenix, AZ.  



What year did you graduate and with what degree?
I graduated in 2003 with a B.A. in Music performance (flute) and French and a certificate in Western European studies.

What has been your field of study since graduating? 
During college and since graduating, I have worked in arts management, particularly in fundraising/development. During college, I had part time jobs at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, the Madison Repertory Theater, National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, and the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music.  After graduating, I moved to New York City where I worked at the Orchestra of St. Luke's, first as the assistant to the Executive Director and development department, then Manager of Development and Special Events, and finally Assistant Director of Development.  Next, I took a newly created position as Director of Development for Midori & Friends, a music education organization founded by renowned violinist Midori.  In 2009, I relocated to Phoenix, Arizona where I now work as the Manager for Individual Giving at the new Musical Instrument Museum (MIM).  MIM is a phenomenal, world-class museum that houses a collection of over 10,000 instruments representing every country and territory in the world, and also features an intimate 299-seat music theater that showcases artists from around the globe in a wide array of musical genres.  It is a privilege and a fantastic learning opportunity to work at a brand new institution of this size and scope.  I encourage everyone to visit if/when you are in Phoenix!  You can learn more at www.theMIM.org

What made you decide to go into this particular field?
My first job in arts administration was somewhat of a fluke, as I was placed at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center by a local temp agency.  I had always been involved in the arts as a performer but the job at JMKAC gave me my first taste of the behind-the-scenes world of arts management and I was hooked.  I first started working in development at Orchestra of St. Luke's and found that it really suited me.  I love coming to work each day and being engaged in a cause about which I am deeply passionate and sharing that passion with people who want to invest in the arts.  For a musician, having a steady paycheck can be hard to come by, so for me this career provides the perfect balance.  I am building a solid career that is still rooted in the arts and affords me the ability to continue to pursue performing on the side.  To me, nothing could be better than being surrounded by wonderfully creative people, advocating for the arts, helping to make the arts more accessible, and helping to ensure that we are developing the next generation of artists and audience members.

What is your favorite memory from UW School of Music? 
I have many fond memories of the school of music but my fondest are of my weekly private lessons with flute professor Stephanie Jutt. Having regular one-on-one time with a professor is something to which students in most other degree programs don't have access.  I learned a great deal about the flute, about performing, and about life from Stephanie and am pleased to still keep in close touch with her. In fact, she performed at my wedding last year in Madison!

What is the most valuable thing you learned from the School of Music?
The most valuable thing I learned from the SOM were performance skills.  During my studies, I was able to perform in a wide variety of band, symphonic, choral, and chamber music settings.  Through these experiences, I learned to be comfortable making music in many configurations, venues, genres, and styles. Continuing to perform as a flutist and singer has remained very important to me and since graduating, I have been pleased to perform as the principal flutist with the Astoria Symphony in New York and in various chamber ensembles.  In Phoenix, I now perform as the flutist with a new woodwind quintet, Sirocco Winds, and with various local orchestras, and recently joined the soprano section of the Scottsdale Choral Artists.  

Any advice for current music students interested in your field? 
I can't emphasize enough the importance of networking and the value of informational interviews.  Don't be afraid to ask someone in the field to spend 20 or 30 minutes over coffee talking with you about their work - most people are more than happy to share about their experiences and will often pass along the name of a colleague or friend whom you can also contact. I also encourage you to consider joining the board of a performing arts organization.  Job experience is fantastic, but serving as a board member brings you a different perspective and set of responsibilities that can really enhance your understanding of how nonprofits function.  I am happy to speak to any SOM students who are interested in going into the arts management or fundraising fields - feel free to send me an email at maureenuw@gmail.com.

34 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. hello i think your blog is full of information .

    ReplyDelete
  4. thanks for the proper explanation, I was quite confused how to post a reply. Koora

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would like to bookmark the page so I can come here again to read you, as you have done a wonderful job. Are you ready for the new game sims 4 skill cheats update?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Immediately the website might irrefutably obtain famous one of the most associated with publishing customers, due to the persistent articles or just crucial evaluations. idm crack

    ReplyDelete
  7. I’m impressed, I must say. Actually hardly ever do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you might have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the problem is something that not enough individuals are talking intelligently about. I’m very blissful that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this. facebook

    ReplyDelete
  8. It’s not my first time to pay a quick visit this web
    site, i am visiting this site dailly and obtain fastidious data from here
    daily.

    anytrans crack
    pokken tournament
    chrome apk

    ReplyDelete
  9. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get got a shakiness over that you wish
    be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly
    again as the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
    ms office 2015 product key
    loopback license key
    driver booster pro crack
    movavi video converter crack plus activation key

    ReplyDelete
  10. Have a nice day! Writing this article can't be better!
    Reading this article reminds me of my great housing partner! He has already mentioned this.
    I will send you this article, are you sure?
    You will read well Thank you very much for sharing!
    teamviewer
    wondershare filmora crack
    freemake video downloader crack
    fl studio 20 crack
    hotspot shield crack

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just want to say that your article is just as great. The clarity of your message is simple
    excellent and I can assume that you are an expert on this matter.
    Well, with your permission, let me introduce you to the feed to keep you updated on future posts.
    g data antivirus crack
    emsisoft anti malware crack

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hey! I just want to appreciate the excellent information you posted here. We will contact you soon.
    More about this source textSource text required for additional translation information
    Send feedback
    Side panels
    History
    Saved
    Contribute
    wise care 365 pro

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh, this is a great post. Concept In addition to spending time and effort
    writing great articles, I want to write that way. I procrastinate a lot and don't seem to do anything.
    artweaver plus with crack
    playon pro crack

    ReplyDelete
  14. Its genuinely solid for you by and large all window programming foundation. This site is overwhelming its article are critical and faltering. I appreciated and bookmark this site on my chrome. This is where you can get all break programming in like way present in clear manner.
    https://cracksmad.com/

    ReplyDelete
  15. Its really strong for you all around all window programming establishment. This site is overpowering its article are basic and vacillating. I appreciated and bookmark this site on my chrome. This is the place where you can get all break programming in like manner present in clear way.
    https://apsksway.com/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Its really sturdy for you normally all window programming repute quo. This internet web page is befuddling its article are key and thoughts-blowing. I favored and bookmark this internet web page on my chrome. This is the place in which you could get all wreck programming in like manner determined in easy way.
    https://zzcrack.com/

    ReplyDelete
  17. Its truly strong for you everything considered all window programming establishment. This site is tangling its article are head and boggling. I appreciated and bookmark this site on my chrome. This is the place where you can get all break programming in like manner present in clear way.
    https://ziapc.org/

    ReplyDelete
  18. Its genuinely solid for you everything considered all window programming foundation. This site is tangling its article are head and boggling. I appreciated and bookmark this site on my chrome. This is where you can get all break programming in like way present in clear manner.
    https://cracksmod.org/

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great blog! Do you have any useful tips for aspiring writers?
    I am planning to create my own website as soon as possible, but
    It's completely missing. You offer
    Is it a free platform like WordPress or a paid option? There are so many options I can
    I'm confused ... any advice? Thank you!
    hdcleaner crack
    farming simulator
    affinity photo crack
    avast secureline vpn license key
    folder protect crack

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very nice post and blog, I found it very explanatory and informative, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and wisdom with us.

    Venüsbet Venüsbet Grandbetting Grandbetting Hiltonbet Betnano Marsbahis Meritking Asyabahis

    ReplyDelete
  21. I feel very grateful that I read this. It is very helpful and informative, and I learned a lot from it.
    Avast Cleanup Premium Crack
    Plagiarism Checker Crack

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you for your time and effort and also for the depth of your posts.
    the information you provide.
    It's nice to come across a blog that doesn't repeat the same old things every time.
    I really liked this book!
    I've bookmarked your site and added your RSS feeds to my subscriptions.
    A Google account is required to use this service.
    foxit phantompdf license key
    wondershare pdfelement crack
    microsoft office 2020 crack
    photopad image editor crack
    winrar crack

    ReplyDelete
  23. Nice information. I’ve bookmarked your site, and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account to get updates instantly.
    VueScan Crack

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi, I just wanted to warn you. Text
    In your article, the screen seems to run to the Opera.
    Not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with the internet.
    browser compatibility, but I thought I'd write, you know.
    But the style and design look great! I hope you solve the problem soon. For your health
    windows 8 1 crack
    youtube movie maker crack
    lucky patcher apk
    amazing dr recovery crack
    microsoft visio pro crack

    ReplyDelete